Biden, speaking in NY, supports assault weapon ban

By the Associated Press | March 21, 2013 | 1:30 PM EDT

Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Neil Heslin, center, whose son Jesse Lewis died at the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., after Biden spoke in New York's City Hall Blue Room, Thursday, March 21, 2013. Relatives of shooting victims from Newtown, Conn., stood with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, and Biden as they spoke in favor of an assault weapons ban. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) — Relatives of shooting victims from Newtown, Conn., stood with Vice President Joe Biden as he spoke at New York's City Hall in favor of an assault weapons ban.

Senate Democrats have dropped the ban from the gun control package they plan to consider next month. However, Biden reiterated Thursday that the White House is still pushing for the measure.